Overview

Hedera hibernica (Hibernica Group) 'Ebony' is a climbing climber wall shrub in the genus Hedera, part of the Araliaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Hedera hibernica (Hibernica Group) 'Ebony' grows best in full sun, partial shade and full shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, low maintenance, banks and slopes, ground cover and wall side borders.

About

Hedera hibernica (Hibernica Group) 'Ebony' is an evergreen climbing wall shrub in the Araliaceae family. It is used on walls, banks and as a ground cover where a climbing or spreading habit is needed. The cultivar tolerates a broad range of light and soils, from full sun to full shade and chalk through clay. Flowering in the UK occurs from September to November.

About the genus

Hedera, commonly called ivy, is a genus of 12–15 species of evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plants in the family Araliaceae, native to Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa and across central-southern Asia east to Japan and Taiwan. Several species are cultivated as climbing ornamentals, and the name ivy especially denotes common ivy, known in North America as "English ivy", which is frequently planted to clothe brick walls.

Wikipedia contributors, "Hedera", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hedera

In the garden

Hedera hibernica (Hibernica Group) 'Ebony' is a cultivar within the Hedera genus and belongs to the Araliaceae family; it is recognised for its climbing habit and use as a wall shrub or ground cover. As an evergreen it retains foliage year-round and fits settings where persistent leaf cover is wanted. Plant it where it will receive anything from full sun to full shade — north-, east-, south- and west-facing aspects are all acceptable. It succeeds in a wide range of soils (chalk, clay, loam, sand) and copes with acid, neutral or alkaline pH provided the soil is well-drained or moist but well-drained rather than waterlogged. Exposure is flexible, tolerating both exposed and sheltered sites. Rated H5, it is hardy across most of the UK. Use 'Ebony' on city courtyards, cottage-style borders, wildlife gardens, banks and slopes, or along the side of walls where a low-maintenance cover is wanted. It is particularly appropriate where year-round screening or ground-hugging cover is needed. Expect flowers in the autumn, between September and November.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Hedera

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade, Full shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Aspect

North-facing, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Hedera hibernica (Hibernica Group) 'Ebony' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Climber Wall Shrub

Habit

Climbing

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Ground cover, Wall side borders

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hedera hibernica (Hibernica Group) 'Ebony'

Propagation

Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings, Layering, Grafting

Pest resistance

Glasshouse red spider mite, Scale insects, Vine weevil, Aphids

Disease resistance

Honey fungus, Leaf spot

Frequently asked questions

More in the Hedera genus

• 
  Hedera helix 'Gold Dust' (v)English Ivy
• 
  Hedera helix 'Malvern'English Ivy
• 
  Hedera helix 'Rauschgold' (v)English Ivy
• 
  Hedera helix 'Renton Gold'English Ivy
• 
  Hedera helix 'Spear Point'English Ivy
• 
  Hedera helix 'Very Merry'Common Ivy